Its funny how I thought República was so popular before I dined with them ,and now that I have visited them, I feel that they are not popular enough because they need more hype than a cat video on the internet! Everyone needs to go and experience the gastronomical delight that this place is . I made reservations a couple months in advance for the 10-course menu and so glad for that since I got the exact time and date I wanted. Sitting down to a tasting menu at República, each course is introduced with a story: An explanation of an ingredient's origin, a history of a dish and its influences. The restaurant is big and spacious but it does look a little barren .. like lots of open space which kind of takes away from the place being a little more intimate . They started us off with some drinks and proceeded to introduce one course after the other. Every dish comes with a story and the way the staff narrates it adds to the whole experience. What we truly loved was that the restaurant is based on a collaborative model where no single chef is the star, and dishes from various regions of Mexico make an appearance. I wouldn't go into the details of each course because honestly you can't pick and choose anyways and secondly because almost everything we had was fantastic . The Desserts sealed the deal and knocked our socks off. Hell, they even sent us back with a small take-home dessert . It was so fun to unwrap and have it the next day. We didn't get the wine pairing but ordered a few high end Mezcals to taste as well as wines. The drinks went very well with the food. The waitstaff are incredibly attentive and kind. The food was wonderfully inventive while also hitting a niche that doesn't get hit a lot in Portland: fine dining Mexican.

The best tasting menu I've had in Portland... and I've had all of them. Honestly, some of the bites and dishes were perfect. Definitely the best food I've eaten this year. I would say some of the descriptions were extremely depressing and I think I heard the phrase "colonizer" more times in this dinner than I have ever heard prior but it's their story to tell, not mine. 10 courses took 3 hours so make sure you are prepared for that.

We went to República for our anniversary dinner. It's always hard to review fine dining and tasting menus, because it's so far beyond what's experienced at a typical restaurant. So, in comparison to other tasting menus I've experienced, I'd give it 4 stars. We did the 10 course menu. Out of that, I'd say 3 were exceptional, 4 were good, and 3 were a miss. I consider these pretty standard numbers for a good tasting menu. Oddly, the first course is apparently one they keep on the menu, and it was one that both my husband and I considered a miss. The other dish they keep on the menu was a flash fried puffed tortilla filled with all manner of deliciousness. It was one of the standouts for us - my favorite dish, and my husband's second favorite. The ambience was fine, fairly standard for Portland fine dining. The music was incredibly loud, which made it hard to hear servers explaining the courses, and meant that all the patrons were talking very loudly to hear each other over the music. That part was a big miss for me. It definitely took away from the experience. I'll also add that if you're in a bigger body, they have a variety of seating, and not all of them are friendly to us, though at least one looked like it was. The servers were incredibly nice, and the level of attentive that I consider an essential part of fine dining. Absolutely on point. Lastly, they are extremely good with providing a gluten free menu. The only thing that needed to be changed for me were a crumble that was on one of the sweet courses, and the final sweet course, which was entirely different from my husband's. All in all, I definitely recommend going to Republica. Be prepared to taste some beautiful food, and have attentive service from friendly staff. But maybe bring earplugs. I'm editing to add: As we did the 10 course tasting menu, we were full when we left and didn't require pizza as many other patrons experienced. It's also important to note that a tasting menu isn't meant to be shared. It's one menu per person. If shared it would be very little food, as each course, expect the main and largest (more like 8 bites at Republica), is only meant to be 2-4 bites.

My best restaurant ever!! Food, drink, service, presentation and atmosphere are incredibly sophisticated. Thank you so much.

Having a dinner experience at Republica is unlike any other. You experience the food of Chef Jose Camerena through storytelling, with each dish curated and inspired by Mexican history. Given that it is tasting menu, each dish builds on the last dish, and the intention of flavors is deeply routed in Mexican ingredients. On a recent trip to Portland, I surprised my partner with a birthday dinner to Republica. Given that we had reservations, we were seated at a table, and we were quick to notice that all of the tables and chairs faced the kitchen, giving the feel that you were experiencing your own chef's table. Watching the kitchen, it was clear that all of the chefs were working in tandem, and it was a beautiful thing to see. The restaurant offers a wide range of unique cocktails and wine selections. On the night that we were dining, they had an option to participate in a wine pairing with dinner that featured Mexican vineyards that also were women-owned. Given that we wanted to try some of the cocktails, we opted out of the wine pairing, but it was amazing to hear that they were featuring women-owned vineyards. The staff are extremely knowledgeable and were able to guide us to cocktail selections that we would like, and they were amazing! As for the food, I don't think my partner and I have experienced anything like it. Everything was elevated, intentional, and again, rooted in Mexican history storytelling. As our server brought out a dish, they would indicate the inspiration behind it through Mexican history, and they delivered each dish with such passion and excitement. Some of my highlights were the stuffed quail with a tomatillo and leek salsa, a cured salmon with hibiscus water, and the puffed blue corn tortilla with vegetables and goat cheese. There was also a salsa verde to begin the dinner that I wish they sold because I would have purchased 10 cans of it. Overall, this was an incredible experience with a unique flair to it. If you are in the Portland area, I highly suggest you try it out!

What a great experience. Not just the meal. The staff is engaging and fun. If you're lucky to catch them on a slow night you'll learn a lot more about what you're eating. The tasting menu is a commitment. It's worth your while if you have the time. We literally licked sauce off plates and kept leftover macha for the next course. These are beautiful, time consuming dishes to make, and they are delicious. Having the bartender recommend cocktails was the right choice for me. Friends had the wine pairing and felt they'd been "on a journey". Anyway, if you drink, the Mexican wines & spirits are a wonderful compliment to the meal. It's obvious that passions run deep here. For food, wine, spirits, conversation, and the mission (see their home page). I'd gladly return to spend another three or four hours with these people and their unique food. Food: ***** Staff: ***** Level of chill: ***** Music selection: *****

Indulge in an unforgettable culinary journey at Republica, where the 10-course tasting menu promises to delight your senses. After eagerly anticipating this experience for a year, I was finally able to celebrate my birthday with this exceptional meal. We were fortunate enough to secure seats right by the kitchen, granting us an enthralling view of the skilled chefs artfully plating each course with utmost precision and dedication. Witnessing their focus and attention to detail added an extra layer of excitement to the evening, making it truly surreal. From the very first bite to the last, each course exceeded the last in a mesmerizing progression of flavors. With every mouthful, I couldn't help but instinctively close my eyes and savor the bold, exquisite taste sensations. The culinary prowess and creativity showcased in each dish were unparalleled. The ambiance was equally captivating, creating an intimate and romantic setting for the night. The service was nothing short of exceptional, with the attentive staff taking turns to present us with the various courses. Their passion for the food they served was evident as they described the ingredients and the inspiration behind each creation. Moreover, they checked in with us after each course, ensuring our enjoyment and satisfaction throughout the memorable evening. In summary, dining at Republica was an extraordinary experience, setting a new standard for fine dining that I'll cherish forever.